What Does Saxenda Look Like? Plus, How to Spot Real vs. Fake Saxenda

When you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy or receive it in the mail, there’s a sense of assurance that it’s an authentic product. But with popular medications like Wegovy and Ozempic being in short supply, counterfeits have flooded the market. And now the same is true of Saxenda (liraglutide), a similar medication that was the first weight-loss injection in its class.

The first step in protecting yourself from counterfeits is knowing what real Saxenda is supposed to look like. If the colors seem off or if the label is missing key information, chances are your product is fake. Here’s what Saxenda looks like, and how to tell the difference between real versus fake Saxenda.

What does Saxenda look like?

Saxenda comes in a multi-dose injection pen. Each pen has 3 mL of liquid that contains 18 mg of liraglutide (the active ingredient). On the dose selector, you can select one of five dose options:

• 0.6 mg

• 1.2 mg

• 1.8 mg

• 2.4 mg

• 3 mg

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The Saxenda pen is light blue. The label, dose button, and area around the pen window are purple. The pen tip has an area for a needle to be attached — though, needles don’t come with a Saxenda pen and must be purchased separately.

Saxenda cartons contain five pens. Each pen should have a National Drug Code (NDC) on it. An NDC is a number that helps identify a particular product. The NDC on the Saxenda pen should be 0169-2800-15.

You may also encounter Saxenda pens that have one of these two NDCs: 0169-2800-90 or 0169-2800-97.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How they compare: Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) are two injectable weight-loss medications on the market. Let's compare to see which might be right for you.

• Dosage guide: Saxenda is a once-daily injection for weight loss. But exactly how much Saxenda should you inject? Here are the typical Saxenda dosage for adults and adolescents.

• Proper storage: When stored improperly, medications such as Saxenda may not work as well for weight loss. Learn how to store Saxenda correctly, including when you’re on the go.

How can you tell real Saxenda from fake or counterfeit Saxenda?

If you’ve never seen a real Saxenda pen before, you may not realize it if your product is fake. But if you’ve been using Saxenda for years, subtle differences may be more obvious. Here are a few clues to look for:

• Check the dosage form: Saxenda comes in a multi-dose injection pen. If you receive your medication in a vial or a syringe, it’s not real Saxenda. It’s possible that you’ve received either compounded or research-grade liraglutide instead.

• Check the dose selector: When you select your dose on a real Saxenda pen, the dose selector does not extend. You should only have the option to select one of the five doses listed above. Some fake Saxenda pens allow you to select doses up to “80,” similar to many insulin pens. And with these counterfeit pens, the dose selector may extend as you dial up your dose.

• Check the pen color and label: As mentioned above, the real Saxenda pen is light blue with a purple label, dose button, and area around the pen window. Fake Saxenda pens may be a different color. Check the label for misspelled words and missing information.

If you notice anything that seems “off” about your Saxenda, it never hurts to double-check before using it. You can contact the manufacturer at 1-800-727-6500 for assistance. Your pharmacist can also be a helpful resource.

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What should you look for on the Saxenda label?

Saxenda pens that are available in other countries may look different from those approved for sale in the U.S. For FDA-approved Saxenda, look for the following basic information on the medication’s label:

• Saxenda (liraglutide) injection

• NDC

• List 280015

• Verbatim instructions: “Discard pen 30 days after first use. Each prefilled pen contains 18 mg/3 mL (6 mg/mL) and will deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, and 3 mg.”

• Lot number

• Expiration date

If any of this information is missing from your Saxenda label, it may not be real Saxenda.

Where can you buy real Saxenda?

Saxenda pens from your local retail pharmacy are most likely the real thing. But there’s a very small chance they could be fake, so it’s still a good idea to inspect your product closely. If you’re receiving Saxenda from an online pharmacy, there’s a greater chance that it’s counterfeit.

Not sure how to tell a trusted online pharmacy from a suspicious one? Here are a few resources that you can check:

• The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP): Verify safe online pharmacies by searching NABP’s safe site search tool. Pharmacies that don’t comply with pharmacy practice and safety standards may show up on the “Not Recommended List.” You can also search for NABP-accredited digital pharmacies.

• LegitScript: Verify if an online pharmacy is certified, legitimate, or rogue using LegitScript’s search tool.

Keep in mind that Saxenda requires a prescription. If you’re able to purchase it without a prescription, there’s a greater risk that it’s not real Saxenda. You may also be tempted to get compounded liraglutide, which has its own unique risks.

What should you do if you think you’ve taken counterfeit Saxenda?

If you think you’ve taken counterfeit Saxenda, there are several steps you should take to manage potential risks and ensure the products are reported:

• Contact your healthcare team: There are many risks associated with using counterfeit products, including contamination, incorrect potency, and more. If you’ve used a counterfeit product, reach out to your healthcare team for guidance. Seek emergency care if you’re experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms.

• Report the product to the FDA: It’s a good idea to report counterfeit products to the FDA so they can be investigated. You can also report any adverse reactions from the using products through the FDA’s voluntary reporting form.

• Report the product to the manufacturer: Saxenda’s manufacturer also looks into counterfeit versions of the medication. You can reach a customer care representative at 1-800-727-6500 Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 6 PM EST.

• Report the website to NABP: If you purchased counterfeit Saxenda from an online pharmacy, you can report the site to NABP.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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